Gallitae

The Gallitae were a Gallic tribe dwelling in the upper valley of the Bléone river (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) during the Iron Age.

Name

They are mentioned as Gallitae (var. -tre) by Pliny (1st c. AD) and on an inscription.^[1][2]

The name Gallitae appears to be based on the Celtic root gal(l)-, meaning 'power, ability', which can also be found in the ethnic names Galli (Gauls) and Galátai (Galatians).^[3][2]

Geography

The Gallitae lived in the upper valley of the Bléone river, in a land later called ager Galadius in the early Middle Ages (813–814 AD).^[4] Their territory was located north of the Bodiontici, east of the Sogiontii and Sebaginni, west of the Eguiturii, south of the Edenates.^[5]

History

They are mentioned by Pliny the Elder as one of the Alpine tribes conquered by Rome in 16–15 BC, and whose name was engraved on the Tropaeum Alpium.^[6]